Welcome to TheHardTackle’s daily transfer roundup where we bring you the latest developments in the transfer market, the rumours spurring up and our insightful assessment of those.

Manchester United and AC Milan want Thiago Alcantara

Reports in British media suggest both English giants Manchester United and former Italian champions AC Milan are interested in signing the Barcelona youngster. The English side, along with tracking the Spanish youngster are still keen on landing Tottenham’s midfield general Luka Modric too.

THT Verdict

Likely. One of the two clubs may successfully land the youngster who has reportedly grown frustrated with the lack of first team opportunities despite being deemed highly talented. Barcelona are presently more than potent with the options available in their midfield and that a player of Cesc Fabregas’ merit is not guaranteed a starting place suggests enough. With Pep Guardiola no more at helm, there’s an uncertainty over how the new generation of youngsters knocking the doors will be treated and some of them may leave the Catalonian clubs seeking first team action.

Milan were initially interested in a player and cash deal for Thiago Silva that involved Alcantara moving the other way but with Thiago Silva staying with the Rossoneri now, the Italians may propose an entirely new bid. The move seems to be happening but at this point your guess over whether it will materialize with the English or the Italians is as good as ours.

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Barcelona are eyeing Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Modric

Spain’s assistant coach Paco Jimenez suggests the Catalonians are tracking the Croatian who has attracted interest from all corners of the continent and is on the radar of a host of big clubs this summer.

THT Verdict

Unlikely. Though Modric is one of the best midfielders in Europe today and is likely to seek a move away from North London courtesy a lack of managerial stability and no Champions League football for a season, Barcelona are currently too crowded in their midfield and may not add another big name there. Besides, Modric is too good a player to warm the bench and should he move to a big name club, he will certainly expected to be offered the due playing time. At this stage, the Croatian’s likelier destinations seem to be from England itself – with Manchester United and Chelsea being the likeliest ones.

Manchester United scouting for Claudio Marchisio

Reports emerged in England suggest the most successful Premier League club are interested in signing Juventus’ Claudio Marchisio and are believed to be proposing a £ 25 million bid to tempt the Turin giants into selling the highly talented and rated Italian midfielder.

THT Verdict

This is another typical transfer rumour that lacks any element of truth. Though it is a widely known fact United are looking into the market to sign a quality central midfielder, there is no possibility of Juventus being interested in doing business involving Marchisio. Juventus have clearly made their intent clear in the transfer window by aggressively signing players to improve the squad and Marchisio being one of their most important players alongside Pirlo, Antonio Conte is not selling his man. Manchester United may have to look elsewhere to reinforce their midfield. Marchisio, they certainly are not signing.

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Sebastian Giovinco nears to a Juventus move

TuttoMercatoWeb reports Italian champions are taking another step in acquiring their youth product from Parma and are reportedly preparing a fresh €13 million bid for the player.

THT Verdict

More than possible. Giovinco’s potential is no secret to anyone in Italy and after his exploits from the last season, it is only natural for him to make a move to a bigger club that promises him European football too. However, Juventus have continuously deployed the 3-5-2 formation last season and Conte is expected to continue with the same. While Giovinco has the pace to excel as an advanced winger one may doubt his defensive capability while being asked to play in the role of a wing back in 3-5-2.

Juventus are certainly going to focus on players who are potentially good at adding width to their attack but this tactical dilemma may compel them to reconsider the move for Giovinco. Clubs like Inter, PSG and Napoli too are interested in the player and we may see a bidding war towards the end of the window.

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AC Milan linked with Antonio Di Natale

With Robinho’s departure looking imminent, Milan are in the market looking for a poacher and the latest rumours have linked the Udinese ace Toto Di Natale with the Rossoneri.

THT Verdict

Milan clearly found themselves short of a striker last season with Pato’s injury concerns. There is a good probability of Milan getting rid of the misfiring Robinho this season and add a striking partner for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to share the scoring burden for the Swede. Di Natale is a proven goal scorer and few strikers are as adept at unlocking the defences in Italy as he is. However, the age is one factor that may go against this deal and more importantly, with Udinese on the verge of Champions League football, their captain may rather prefer to stick with the club leading them to the territories yet untrodden by them. From the looks of it, this deal is far from possible.

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Some more rumours

Davide Petrucci, who plays for Manchester United reserves is about to extend his contract with the club.

Spanish winger Joaquin who currently plays for Malaga is on the watch list of Udinese.

Sources suggest Owen Hargreaves after failing to secure another deal from Manchester City might quit professional football altogether.

West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing former Real Madrid legend Guti.

Parth Pandya is an editor and writes primarily on AC Milan and Italian football in general. Apart from Serie A and Italy national team, Parth is a keen follower of Spanish and English football as well and regularly covers Europe's continental tournaments for TheHardTackle.